disorder

[ dis-awr-der ]

noun

1. lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion:

   Your room is in utter disorder.

   Synonyms: disorderliness, clutter, litter, jumble, disarray

2. an irregularity:

   a disorder in legal proceedings.

3. breach of order; disorderly conduct; public disturbance.

   Synonyms: turbulence, riot

4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction:

   a mild stomach disorder.

   Synonyms: indisposition, sickness, complaint, illness, malady, ailment

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the order or regular arrangement of; disarrange.

   Synonyms: disorganize, disarray

2. to derange the physical or mental health or functions of.

   Synonyms: confuse, upset, disturb

disorder

/ dɪsˈɔːdə /

noun

1. a lack of order; disarray; confusion
2. a disturbance of public order or peace
3. an upset of health; ailment
4. a deviation from the normal system or order

verb

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; muddle
2. to disturb the health or mind of

Other Words From

• predis·order noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disorder¹

First recorded in 1470–80; dis- ¹ + order

Synonym Study

Disorder, brawl, disturbance, uproar are disruptions or interruptions of a peaceful situation. Disorder refers to civil unrest or to any scene in which there is confusion or fighting: The police went to the scene of the disorder. A brawl is a noisy, unseemly quarrel, usually in a public place: a tavern brawl. A disturbance is disorder of a size as to inconvenience people: to cause a disturbance. An uproar is a tumult, a bustle and clamor of many voices, often because of a disturbance: a mighty uproar.

Related Words

• chaos
• complication
• disturbance
• lawlessness
• trouble
• unrest